MacWorld Today

The BBC notes the second guessing over what Apple founder Steve Jobs will announce at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco is reaching a fever pitch. Jobs takes the podium at 9 am this morning.

Speculation this year is loudest about a possible Apple mobile phone. It could see the firm competing in the mobile space in a similar way to its dramatic entry into the music arena.

Other predictions include a new iPod, more details about Apple’s TV set-top box and new versions of its software.

The guessing game has become an integral part of the show as traditional media and blogs compete to fuel the rumour mill.

On its website it offers the tantalising message: “The first 30 years were just the beginning – welcome to 2007.”

The new ITV box will have an Intel processor in it, 802.11n, 40GB HD, 720p HD video, with usb2, ethernet, HDMI plugs.

The GSM+EDGE iPhone, supported by Cingular, has one button on front with a 3.5 inch screen – the highest res screen ever shipped, with proximity sensors and a sim card. The phone has built-in WiFi, a 2-megapixel camera, and uses a safari web browser running on a version of the OS-X operating system.

It features mail, safari, Google Maps, push imap from Yahoo (same as a Blackberry) plus music, photos and video. It knows where you are, so it can be used with location-based services. The 4GB model is $499, the 8GB model is $599, shipping in June.

Jobs said Apple will try to get 1% of the 957 million mobile phones sold worldwide, or some 10 millions phones. Also changed the name of the company from Apple Computer to Apple Inc. End of show (11 am PST).